Stafanie Taylor looks forward to World Cup Qualifier 2011

ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year, Stafanie Taylor is confident about her West Indies team's chances in the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier to be staged in Bangladesh from 14-26 November in Dhaka. Taylor believes the preparation of the side has been 'perfect' and it will be confident going into the competition.West Indies plays its first game in the tournament against Ireland on 14 November. "We've been preparing well doing both fitness and psychology training and I feel we have got a good grounding ahead of Dhaka. The girls are looking well and our fitness has definitely improved which was key goal for us ahead of this tour. We need to make sure we are fully prepared for this event because we all want to qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup. The camp we've been participating in for the last week and a half has definitely been a great confident booster," said Taylor.West Indies is in Group B alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Japan and host Bangladesh in the 10-team event. Taylor believes the side can draw from the knowledge of having played Ireland and Pakistan previously."We faced Ireland and Pakistan at the Women's Cricket Challenge and in bilateral series, but Japan and Bangladesh are both unknown entities to us and they are certainly not teams we can take for granted. I think we can expect conditions to be similar to India, where we recently toured, with the temperature, pitches and conditions to be the same. I've not spoken to the men's side who have recently toured Bangladesh about conditions, but I'm sure some of my teammates have spoken to their friends in the men's side for tips. I'm also confident that our coach, Sherwin Campbell will prepare us fully," informed Taylor.Even before the side begins its battle for a spot in the coveted ICC Women's World Cup in 2013, the West Indies, the team has suffered a major casualty. Key player Tremayne Smart has been ruled out through injury and her place has gone to Surbrina Munroe"Losing someone like Tremayne was a major blow for us as she is an important bowler for us. She gets wickets and keeps the runs to a few against any opposition top order. However, Surbrina is experienced even though she hasn't played and trained with us as much and I'm confident she will meet our expectations and perhaps beat them by going out and doing her best for the West Indies," said Taylor.The year of 2011 has been memorable so far for Taylor culminating in her being named as the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year at the annual LG ICC Awards, in association with FICA, in London.Taylor said"For me it is a major confidence booster to be playing with the knowledge that I was voted the best women's cricketer this year. It makes me want to play even better and to show my worth by making even more runs so that I can be in the running for next year's award."By scoring 600 odd runs last year, including two 80s in India which should have been centuries, showed me that the more work I do the better I become. The more fitness work I put in the better my game becomes and the greater chance I will have to win the award again."I won't forget the day I found out I had won the award, I just landed back in Jamaica after the recent series in Guyana and my uncle collected me. We had the radio on as we were driving home and it was announced on the news, I just couldn't believe it We were both so happy. It's a good job he is a safe driver!" recalled Taylor.The ICC award was a reward for Taylor and vindicates her decision to choose cricket over other passion, football. "I think if I hadn't played cricket for a living I would have played football. I started playing cricket when I was eight-years-old and played my first game for Jamaica at 10, and I just loved it. That being said, I've got five brothers and four sisters and I used to play football all the time with them, so if I hadn't discovered cricket it would be soccer for sure," concluded Taylor

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Botha, Kallis and Doherty on the charge as Vettori takes over No.1 bowling spot from Morkel

South Africa's off-spinner Johan Botha has returned to the top 20 in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers.Botha's team-mate Jacques Kallis and Xavier Doherty of Australia have also made upward movements in the latest rankings which were released on Sunday after the third and last ODI of the three-match series between South Africa and Australia.Botha had figures of 10-1-21-1 in Australia's three-wicket win in Durban on Friday that earned him 22 ratings points which, in turn, gave him a jump of eight places and put him in 17th position.The 29-year-old is now the fourth South Africa bowler to find a place in the top 20. Morne Morkel, who surged to the top of the bowling table last Wednesday, has slipped three places to fourth position, Dale Steyn has moved up one place to seventh position and Lonwabo Tsotsobe has dropped out of the top 10 and is now in 11th position after slipping four places.Kallis, who had figures of 5-0-17-2, has gained eight places and is now in 43rd position while Australia's left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty is the biggest mover in the latest rankings with a leap of 20 places after his figures of 9-0-33-2.The 29-year-old Tasmanian is now in 48th position and is the fourth Australia bowler inside the top 50 after Mitchell Johnson (third), Doug Bollinger (fifth) and Shane Watson (38th).Meanwhile, Morkel's slip has allowed Daniel Vettori to regain the number-one position on the bowlers list. The former New Zealand captain was knocked off the top spot by England's Graeme Swann after the five-ODI series against Sri Lanka in July. Last Wednesday, Swann was displaced by Morkel and three days later Vettori was back in the coveted position after Morkel conceded 15 ratings points after his performance in the Durban ODI and dropped to fourth spot.In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, Watson has joined India's Virat Kohli in fifth position after finishing as Australia's top scoring with a fine 49 in the Durban ODI. Shaun Marsh, who scored 30, has also gained two places and is now in 50th spot.The batting table is led by Hashim Amla who leads his team-mate and South Africa captain AB de Villiers by 53 ratings points.Kallis has also gained a spot in the Reliance ICC Players Rankings for ODI all-rounders and is now in third position. The list is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh with Watson in second place.In the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table, the defeat in Durban means South Africa remains in fourth position. Had South Africa won the match and the series 2-1, it would have leapfrogged Sri Lanka and India into second position.Australia continues to dominate the table and leads its closest rival Sri Lanka by 11 ratings points

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Tamim Iqbal reprimanded for ICC Code of Conduct breach

Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal has been officially reprimanded after being found guilty of breaching the ICC's Code of Conduct during the opening day's play in the second and last cricket Test against the West Indies in Mirpur.Tamim was charged with a Level 1 offence under article 2.1.4 of the code which relates to, "Using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match Tamim pleaded guilty to the charge and as such, under the provisions of the code, the matter was determined by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and so there was no requirement for a full hearing.The charge related to an incident in the 85th over when Tamim Iqbal was heard using offensive language against West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels who had walked into bat at the fall of Kemar Roach's wicket.The charge was brought by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Nigel Llong from the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires, and third umpire Nadir Shah.Explaining his decision, Mr Pycroft said: "Tamim's behaviour against Marlon Samuels was completely unacceptable and that too after I had reminded him of his responsibility in the lead up to the second Test."Penalties for offences included in Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct can range from an official reprimand up to 50 per cent of the player's match fee

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Bravo ton puts Windies in control against BD

DHAKA : Darren Bravo cracked his maiden Test century to put the West Indies in command on the third day of the series-deciding second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.The left-hander was unbeaten on 100 after Kirk Edwards hit a solid 86 as the West Indies reached 207-3 in their second innings at stumps for an overall lead of 331 runs.Bravo completed his century off the last ball of the day when he cut debutant left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo for two runs. He has so far hit two sixes and seven fours in his 165-ball knock.The tourists, leading by 124 runs on the first innings, consolidated their position as Bravo and Edwards put on 151 for the third wicket after openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Keiran Powell had fallen cheaply.The opening Test of the two-match series ended in a draw in Chittagong.Edwards, who scored 121 in the first innings, looked set to score his second hundred of the Test when he fell in the closing overs of the day, bowled by Shuvo after hitting one six and seven fours in his 204-ball knock.Bravo, dropped on 45 by Imrul Kayes in the slips off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, made the most of the chance as he bolstered the innings with a big stand with Edwards.Both the batsmen played attractive shots, with Bravo once smashing off-spinner Nasir Hossain for two fours and a six in an over and then Edwards hoisting paceman Shahadat Hossain for a six.Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over after Naeem Islam hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw.The hosts struggled for success on an easy-paced pitch for more than two sessions, with Shakib and Shuvo being the lone wicket-takers.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir, caught at deep mid-wicket by Edwards while going for a big shot. Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34.Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat for four runs to finish with 3-62

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Bravo, Edwards consolidate West Indies’ position

DHAKA : Darren Bravo and Kirk Edwards hit half-centuries to consolidate the West Indies' position on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.Bravo and Edwards each made 59 not out as the West Indies reached 133-2 in their second innings at tea for an overall lead of 257 runs with eight wickets in hand.The pair have so far put on 100 for the unfinished third-wicket stand after openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Keiran Powell had fallen for 33 runs.Bravo was more aggressive than his partner, once smashing off-spinner Nasir Hossain for two fours and a six in an over. He has so far hit two sixes and four boundaries in his 86-ball knock.Edwards, who scored a hundred in the first innings, drove left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan through the covers to complete his half-century. He has so far cracked one six and five fours in his 126-ball knock.Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over after Naeem Islam hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw.Shakib was the lone wicket-taker in the second session when he had Powell (12) caught by Nasir at mid-on.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had debutante Suhrawadi Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir, caught at deep mid-wicket by Kirk Edwards while going for a big shot. Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34.Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat Hossain for four runs to finish with 3-62.Fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who jolted Bangladesh with five quick wickets on Sunday, bowled just one over in the morning as the West Indies relied on their spin duo.The opening Test ended in a draw in Chittagong.

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Windies gain lead in Bangladesh Test

DHAKA : The West Indies lost an early wicket before extending their overall lead to 151 at lunch on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.The tourists, who gained a 124-run lead, were 27-1 in their second innings, with Kirk Edwards (14) and opener Kieran Powell (12) at the crease.Kraigg Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had debutant Suhrawadi Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir Hossain, caught at deep mid-wicket by Kirk Edwards while going for a big shot.Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34.Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat Hossain for four runs to finish with 3-62.Fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who jolted Bangladesh with five quick wickets on Sunday, bowled just one over in the morning as the West Indies relied on their spin duo.The opening Test ended in a draw in Chittagong

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West Indies in strong position

DHAKA : Darren Bravo and Kirk Edwards hit half-centuries to consolidate the West Indies' position on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.Bravo and Edwards each made 59 not out as the West Indies reached 133-2 in their second innings at tea for an overall lead of 257 runs with eight wickets in hand. The pair have so far put on 100 for the unfinished third-wicket stand after openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Keiran Powell had fallen for 33 runs.Bravo was more aggressive than his partner, once smashing off-spinner Nasir Hossain for two fours and a six in an over. He has so far hit two sixes and four boundaries in his 86-ball knock.Edwards, who scored a hundred in the first innings, drove left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan through the covers to complete his half-century. He has so far cracked one six and five fours in his 126-ball knock.Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over after Naeem Islam hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw.Shakib was the lone wicket-taker in the second session when he had Powell (12) caught by Nasir at mid-on.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had debutante Suhrawadi Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir, caught at deep mid-wicket by Kirk Edwards while going for a big shot.Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34. Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat Hossain for four runs to finish with 3-62.Fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who jolted Bangladesh with five quick wickets on Sunday, bowled just one over in the morning as the West Indies relied on their spin duo.The opening Test ended in a draw in Chittagong

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Edwards duo put Windies on top against BD

DHAKA : Fidel Edwards grabbed five quick wickets and Kirk Edwards cracked an impressive 121 to help the West Indies gain the upper hand in the series-deciding second Test against Bangladesh on Sunday.Fast bowler Edwards finished with 5-58 for his 11th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings as the West Indies reduced Bangladesh to 204-7 in their first innings at stumps after posting 355 on the second day.Shakib Al Hasan, who also bagged five wickets with his left-arm spin, defied the West Indies' attack with a 74-ball 73 with the help of nine fours before being bowled by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.Bangladesh were reeling at 59-5 following Fidel Edwards' five-wicket burst off 29 balls on a slow pitch before being steadied by Shakib, who put on 84 for the sixth wicket with Naeem Islam (45).The hosts now trail by 151 runs with just three wickets in hand. Nasir Hossain was unbeaten on 34 and debutant Suhrawadi Shuvo on two not out.Kirk Edwards, 71 overnight, completed his second century in three Tests in the opening session as the tourists added 102 runs to their overnight total of 253-5 before being bowled out in the second.The opening Test of the two-match series ended in a draw in Chittagong.Bangladesh went for shots early in their innings as they raced to 60 off just 10 overs, but lost five wickets in the process to find themselves in deep trouble.Fidel Edwards had opener Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees caught by Darren Bravo at short-leg in his opening three overs before removing Raqibul Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim off successive deliveries in his fourth over.His fifth victim was opener Imrul Kayes, who hit one six and five fours in his 26-ball 29 before being caught by Kraigg Brathwaite at square-leg.Tamim was the other top-order batsman to reach double figures, hitting three fours in paceman Kemar Roach's opening over before falling for a 10-ball 14.The West Indies earlier lost their last five wickets for 36 runs, with Shakib finishing with 5-63 for his eighth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.Kirk Edwards, who scored a hundred on Test debut against India at home in July, hit two sixes and 14 fours in his 273-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by Shakib.He was dropped on 90 by wicket-keeper Rahim off off-spinner Nasir Hossain and then smashed two fours in the same over before completing his century with a boundary off left-arm spinner Shuvo.

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Misbah's captaincy guiding Pakistan, says manager

DUBAI : Pakistan manager Naushad Ali on Sunday praised captain Misbah-ul Haq, saying his leadership qualities are key to the team's progress after a turbulent last year marred by a spot-fixing scandal in England.Misbah led Pakistan to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second Test here on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The first Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw.Since taking over as Test captain in the post spot-fixing scandal Misbah has not lost any series with Pakistan winning four of nine Tests, losing one and drawing the other four.Misbah, 37 will also lead Pakistan in one-day and Twenty20 versions of the game after Shahid Afridi was sacked in May this year.The third Test in the series starts in Sharjah from November 3

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Bangladesh reeling at 86-5 against Windies’ 355

DHAKA : Fidel Edwards grabbed five wickets off 29 balls in a superb display of fast bowling as the West Indies sent Bangladesh reeling at 86-5 at tea after posting 355 in the second and final Test on Sunday.Fidel Edwards wrecked Bangladesh's top order to take 5-40 in his lively opening spell for his 11th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.Shakib Al Hasan was unbeaten on 30 and Naeem Islam on six not out at the break on the second day of the match in Dhaka.Bangladesh went for shots early in their innings as they raced to 60 runs off just 10 overs, but lost five wickets in the process to find themselves in deep trouble.Fidel Edwards had opener Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees caught by Darren Bravo at short-leg in his opening three overs before removing Raqibul Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim off successive deliveries in his fourth over.His fifth victim was opener Imrul Kayes, who hit one six and five fours in his 26-ball 29 before being caught by Kraigg Brathwaite at square-leg.Tamim was the other top-order batsman to reach double figures, hitting three fours in paceman Kemar Roach's opening over before falling for a 10-ball 14.Kirk Edwards, 71 overnight, earlier cracked an impressive 121 for his second century in three Tests as the tourists added 102 runs to their overnight total of 253-5 before being bowled out in the second session.The West Indies lost their last five wickets for 36 runs, with left-arm spinner Shakib finishing with 5-63 for his eighth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.Kirk Edwards, who scored a hundred on Test debut against India at home in July, hit two sixes and 14 fours in his 273-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by Shakib after lunch.He was dropped on 90 by wicket-keeper Rahim off off-spinner Nasir Hossain and then smashed two fours in the same over before completing his century with a boundary off debutant left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo.Nasir was the first to strike when he held a return catch to dismiss well-set Marlon Samuels (48), who added 87 for the sixth wicket with Edwards. Samuels added 32 to his overnight score of 16.Shakib then removed Carlton Baugh (six), who was caught in the slips by Kayes while attempting to cut, and then skipper Darren Sammy who stepped on to the stumps after making just one run

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Sangakkara fights alone after Pakistan rip through Sri Lanka batting

DUBAI : Pakistan's bowlers once again caught Sri Lanka napping on the opening day of the second cricket Test at Dubai Stadium here on Wednesday.Sri Lanka, opting to bat on a bouncy pitch, were pegged back by Umar Gul (3-49) before slumping further to 176-8 by tea as the Pakistan attack kept relentless pressure on the batsmen with some early help from the pitch Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 211 to help Sri Lanka draw the first of three Tests in Abu Dhabi last week, top-scored with 78 hitting eleven boundaries and added an invaluable 54 runs for the sixth wicket with debutant Kaushal Silva (20).At tea, Rangana Herath (six) and Chanaka Welegedara (15) were at the crease.When Sangakkara looked set for another century he lost his concentration as he jumped down the crease to hoist left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman straight into the hands of deep mid-wicket fielder Asad Shafiq.Sangakkara, who also added 27 for the seventh wicket with Dhammika Prasad (seven), had defied the Pakistani bowlers during the first session in which Sri Lanka lost five wickets, three in Gul's incisive first spell.Junaid Khan ably complemented Gul by dismissing Tillakaratne Dilshan (seven) and Angelo Mathews (19) to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 78-5 at lunch.Gul trapped opener Lahiru Thirimanne (one) in front of the wicket with the second delivery of his second over as Indian umpire Shahvir Tarapore upheld the appeal for his maiden decision in his first Test.Gul then had two wickets in his fifth over, as Tharanga Paranavitana slashed a wide delivery straight into the hands of skipper Misbah-ul Haq who held a sharp chance. Tharanga made six.Off his sixth delivery, Gul had the experienced Mahela Jayawardene edging into the slips for Misbah to make two in two, leading by example in the slips after Pakistan floored seven chances in the first Test.Khan, who took a career-best 5-38 to dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 197 in the first innings, had Dilshan caught in the slip and then Mathews caught behind by keeper Adnan Akmal.Sangakkara dispatched Gul for his eighth boundary to bring up his 37th half-century before Rehman's dismissed him and Silva in his first spell.Sri Lanka were forced to make two changes from the first Test line-up, leaving injured Prasanna Jayawardene and Nuwan Pradeep to include Prasad and Silva.Pakistan replaced paceman Aizaz Cheema with Rehman.

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Pakistan pacers rock Sri Lanka in 2nd Test

DUBAI : Umar Gul ripped through Sri Lanka's top order with a burst of three wickets in his opening spell on the first day of the second cricket Test on Wednesday.Gul broke through in only the third over of the match after Sri Lanka, electing to bat, slumped to 30-3 by the ninth over before struggling to 78-5 by lunch at the Dubai cricket Stadium.Kumar Sangakkara, who scored a fighting 211 to help Sri Lanka draw the first Test at Abu Dhabi last week, was unbeaten on 29 and with him was Kaushal Silva (one) after Junaid Khan carried on the good work by Gul with two more wickets.The 27-year-old paceman Gul trapped opener Lahiru Thirimanne (one) in front of the wicket with the second delivery of his second over as Indian umpire Shahvir Tarapore upheld the appeal for his maiden decision in his first Test.Gul then had two wickets in his fifth over, as Tharanga Paranavitana slashed a wide delivery straight into the hands of skipper Misbah-ul Haq who held a sharp chance. Tharanga made six.Off his sixth delivery, Gul had the experienced Mahela Jayawardene edging into the slips for Misbah to make two in two, leading by example in the slips after Pakistan floored seven chances in the first Test.Amidst the wicket slide, Sangakkara held his nerves as he straight drove Khan for two fours to release some pressure at the other end. He also benefitted from a dropped catch when Taufiq Umar failed to hold a chance off spinner Saeed Ajmal.Khan, who took a career-best 5-38 to dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 197 in the first innings at Abu Dhabi, dismissed Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan for seven, caught off a rash drive in the slip for Misbah's third catch.Khan then broke Sangakkara-Mathews brief stand of 28, when wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal held a faint edge off Mathews who made 19.Sri Lanka were forced to make two changes as wicket-keeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardene, who hit a match-saving 120 in the first Test, was ruled out due to abdominal strain.They also left out paceman Nuwan Pradeep, giving a Test cap to wicket-keeper batsman Kaushal Silva and bringing in experienced paceman Dhammika Prasad.Pakistan brought in left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman for paceman Aizaz Cheema as the only change.

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Sri Lanka bat in second Pakistan Test

DUBAI : Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and chose to bat in the second Test against Pakistan at the Dubai Stadium on Wednesday.Sri Lanka were dealt a blow when their wicket-keeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardene, who hit a match-saving 120 in the drawn first Test at Abu Dhabi last week, was ruled out due to injury.Also out was paceman Nuwan Pradeep and the two slots went to keeper Kaushal Silva and fast bowler Dhammika Prasad. The 25-year-old Silva is making his Test debut.Pakistan brought in left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman in place of paceman Aizaz Cheema.The third Test of the series will be played in Sharjah from November 3.Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan.Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Kaushal Silva.Umpires: Tony Hill (NZL) and Shahvir Tarapore (IND)
Tv umpire: Zameer Haider (PAK) Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

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Dominant India whitewash England

KOLKATA: World champions India brushed aside England by 95 runs in the fifth and final one-day international in Kolkata on Tuesday to sweep the series 5-0 Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 75 off 69 balls to power India to 271-8 after the hosts were sent in to bat by England captain Alastair Cook at the Eden Gardens.Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja then grabbed 4-33 and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 3-28 as England were shot out for 176 in 37 overs after a promising start in the day-night match.The whitewash made partial amends for the disastrous tour of England in July-September, when India were routed 4-0 in the Test series to lose the world number one ranking and were blanked 3-0 in the one-dayers.India swept the series despite the absence of seven players, including star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who were part of the team that won the World Cup final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in April.India have beaten England in 16 of their last 18 one-day internationals at home, losing one and tying the other during the World Cup earlier this year.India were reduced to 123-4 before Dhoni hit his way out of trouble, pounding four sixes and three boundaries, to help the hosts put up a challenging total on a sluggish wicket.The late flourish led by the captain saw India plunder 84 runs in the last eight overs, including 39 off the final 12 balls.Left-arm seamer Samit Patel claimed three for 57, while fast bowler Steven Finn took 2-47.Cook and Craig Kieswetter provided the best start for the tourists in the series as they put on 129 for the first wicket by the 21st over.Both hit half-centuries before India grabbed five wickets for 12 runs to reduce England to 141-5 in the 26th over.Fast bowler Varun Aaron triggered the collapse by bowling Cook for 60, while Kieswetter was leg-before to Jadeja for 63.Ian Bell, making his first appearance in the series in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen, had made two when he was caught behind by Dhoni off Ashwin.Jadeja then removed the two Jonathans, Trott and Bairstow, in eight balls to open up the lower order.Ravi Bopara was bowled by Suresh Raina round his wickets and Tim Bresnan holed out against part-time spinner Manoj Tiwary.The rivals will return to the Eden Gardens on Saturday for a one-off Twenty20 international before England return home.

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Zimbabwe ensure a thrilling win over NZ

BULAWAYO : Zimbabwe: Malcolm Waller hit a single off the fifth ball of the last over to take Zimbabwe to a dramatic one-wicket win in the third and final one-day international against New Zealand at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.Waller finished on 99 not out off 74 balls as Zimbabwe chased down a New Zealand total of 328 for five which included centuries by Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.It was Zimbabwe's highest successful run chase and ended a sequence of seven successive defeats for the home side.New Zealand captain Taylor (119) and Williamson (100 not out) shared a fifth wicket stand of 195 off only 133 balls.It turned what seemed likely to be a respectable total into an imposing one, doubling the total by adding 164 runs in the final 15 overs, with the rampage starting in the batting powerplay taken after 35 overs.But Zimbabwe got off to a brisk start with captain Brendan Taylor following centuries in the first two matches with 75 off 65 balls as he and Hamilton Masakadza (36) put on 100 for the second wicket.Tatenda Taibu hit an aggressive 53 but it was a swashbuckling sixth wicket stand of 112 off 85 balls between Waller and Elton Chigumbura that put victory within reach for Zimbabwe.Waller and Chigumbura got the target down to 34 off 36 balls when Chigumbura was bowled by Jacob Oram, trying a big shot.In a nervy finish, three more wickets fell and with four needed off the last over, Waller was dropped twice by Ross Taylor at midwicket.Two runs were scored off the first miss and one off the second.Then Ray Price skied a catch and was caught with the scores tied but the batsmen crossed and Waller had the strike and clinched the match."Brendan Taylor and Waller batted very well," said Ross Taylor, who took the blame for dropping Waller."When you drop catches you lose matches," he added.While Taylor accelerated after a slow start in which he scored his first fifty off 83 balls before reaching his century off 115 deliveries, Williamson was in superb form from the start, hitting his century off 69 balls."It was an outstanding effort. It was disappointing for Kane that we couldn't get the win," said his captain.Waller paid tribute to Chigumbura."Having Elton there striking it so well was a real help. We had nothing to lose and we came out and played really well.

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Taylor, Williamson punish Zimbabwe bowlers

BULAWAYO : Zimbabwe: Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson hit centuries as New Zealand piled up 328 for five in the third and final one-day international against New Zealand at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.Taylor (119) and Williamson (100 not out) shared a fifth-wicket stand of 195 off only 133 balls that turned what seemed likely to be a respectable total into an imposing one, adding 164 runs in the final 15 overs.Zimbabwe made a good start by claiming the first three wickets for 41 runs, with bustling fast bowler Njabulo Ncube taking two wickets in his first spell in international cricket.New Zealand captain Taylor made a cautious start, taking 83 balls to reach his half-century, as he and Jesse Ryder (53) launched a recovery with a fourth-wicket stand of 83.The tempo increased rapidly when Williamson joined Taylor, who went to his sixth one-day international century off 115 balls.Williamson was in superb form and reached his second hundred off 69 deliveries, scoring seven runs off the final two balls of the innings.Zimbabwe gave new caps to Ncube and leg-spinner Natsai M'shangwe and both impressed in their first spells before wilting as Taylor and Williamson went on the rampage.Ncube took two for 28 in an opening spell of six overs but then conceded 41 runs off his next 2.5 overs before being ordered out of the attack in the final over after bowling a second high full toss.He bowled Taylor in his last over to finish with three for 69.M'shangwe started with a maiden and bowled eight successive overs for only 26 runs before being hit for another 24 runs in his last two overs.New Zealand, holding a winning 2-0 lead in the series, rested leading scorer Martin Guptill in order to give some of their other batsmen time in the middle ahead of a one-off Test starting at the same ground on November 1.The plan did not work for BJ Watling, who opened in Guptill's place and was run out without facing a ball, but Taylor, Ryder and Williamson all played their first major innings of the tour

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Spot-fixing trial: Butt's lawyer concludes arguments

LONDON : During day 14 of the spot fixing trial the lawyer for Salman Butt accused fast bowler Muhammed Amir of having direct contact with bookies in Pakistan, Ali Bajwa who is representing the former Pakistan captain in his closing argument said that even though Amir was young he did not need anyone’s guidance for fixing and understood right from wrong. Bajwa added that Butt had no control over Amir’s bowling and that the fast bowler was in direct contact with Mazhar Majeed. Bajwa also levelled allegations against Muhammed Asif and said Butt had nothing to do with the no-ball bowled by the pace bowler. Bajwa said Butt did not direct Asif to run fast and the captain’s advice did not mean there was fixing. Bajwa requested the court to ignore statements made by Muhammed Asif. Bajwa further said he would leave the fate of his client upon the jury and hoped Butt would be cleared of the charges. Bajwa was followed by the lawyer for Muhammed Asif who during his closing arguments said Mazhar Majeed was corrupt and his life was filled with lies.Alexander Milne who is representing Asif said evidence proved that Salman Butt and Mazhar Majeed were involved in fixing and no marked bills were recovered from his client

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Dhoni leads India to 271-8 against England

KOLKATA : Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 75 off 69 balls to power India to 271-8 in the fifth and final one-dayer at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday.England, hoping to avoid a 5-0 series whitewash after losing the first four games, grabbed wickets at regular intervals after skipper Alastair Cook asked India to bat in the day-night match.India were reduced to 123-4 before Dhoni hit his way out of trouble, pounding four sixes and three boundaries, to help the world champions put up a challenging total on a sluggish wicket.The late flourish led by the captain saw India plunder 84 runs in the last eight overs, including 39 off the final 12 balls.Left-arm seamer Samit Patel claimed three for 57, while Steven Finn took 2-47.Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane put on 80 runs in 17 overs when England hit back with three wickets without a run being added.Finn, England's most impressive fast bowler in the series, bowled Gambhir (38) and the in-form Virat Kohli with the first and last deliveries of his sixth over.In the next over, Tim Bresnan forced Rahane (42) to edge a ball to wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter, who dived to his right to pick up a superb catch.Kolkata local Manoj Tiwary, making his first appearance in the series in place of opener Parthiv Patel, scored 24 with the help of four boundaries when he was caught behind off Stuart Meaker.Suresh Raina helped Dhoni lift the total to 162-4 in the 37th over, before he was run out for 38 by a direct throw from Ravi Bopara.Patel dismissed Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in successive overs, but Dhoni stepped in to steer India to a competitive total.England gave seasoned batsman Ian Bell his first game in the series in place of Kevin Pietersen, who has a fractured thumb

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Fielding let us down during first test: Misbah

DUBAI : Pakistan cricket captain Misbah ul Haq said Tuesday the teams fielding was disappointing during the first test against Sri Lanka. Misbah while speaking to the media said the team was concentrating on improving their fielding during training sessions and they would try to show an improved performance in the second test. He added fast bowler Umer Gul was fit and the wicket for the second test was similar to the one used during last year’s test against South Africa

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Sunny makes seven-wicket debut in drawn Test

CHITTAGONG : Bangladesh's Elias Sunny made a memorable seven-wicket debut against the West Indies in the rain-hit opening Test, which ended in a draw on the fifth and final day on Tuesday.The left-arm spinner grabbed 6-94 in the first innings and 1-34 in the second as the West Indies finished at 100-2 after being set a 226-run target to win the match off 37 overs.Opener Lendl Simmons made a 49-ball 44, while Kirk Edwards (28 not out) and Darren Bravo (24 not out) were the unbeaten batsmen when play was called off with 15 overs remaining.No play was possible due to rain on Saturday and Sunday.Sunny also became the third Bangladeshi to bag six wickets in an innings on debut in the morning session as the West Indies were bowled out for 244 in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh's 350-9 declared.The hosts declared their second innings closed at their tea total of 119-3, with left-handed Shahriar Nafees (50) scoring his sixth Test half-century with the help of eight fours.Openers Imrul Kayes (13) and Tamim Iqbal (37) were the other batsmen dismissed in the second session.Seamers Darren Sammy and Ravi Rampaul, and spinner Marlon Samuels each took one wicket.The second and final Test starts in Dhaka on October 29.The West Indies earlier added 100 runs in 17 overs to their overnight total of 144-5, with skipper Sammy smashing a brisk 43-ball 58 with the help of two sixes and eight fours for his maiden Test half-century.Sunny, 25, took two of the five wickets to fall in the morning session while left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan took the last three wickets to finish with 3-53 off 18 overs.Sunny, who took four wickets on Monday, struck in his second over when he had Samuels caught by Raqibul Hasan in the covers. Samuels could add just seven runs to his overnight score of 17 Sammy and Carlton Baugh (30) then counter-attacked to add 60 runs in just seven overs for the seventh wicket before Sunny broke the stand when he bowled Baugh for his sixth victim.The West Indies captain completed his half-century with a six off Sunny, but did not last long as he was bowled by Shakib after hitting the second six of his innings.Shakib also dismissed Devendra Bishoo for no score in the same over.

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ICC T20 BASTMAN RANKING

TEAM NAME CAREER RATING E.J.G. Morgan 866 Ind 31/08/2011 832 B.B. McCullum 824 Aus 28/02/2010 799 K.P. Pietersen 873 Aus 16/05/2010 793 M.D.Jayawardena 787 W.I 07/05/2010 784 S. Raina 742 Eng, 31/08/2011 742 T.M. Dilshan 814 N.Z 02/09/2009 733 K.C. Sangakkara 769 W.I 07/05/2010 732 Umar Akmal 716 Zim16/09/2011 714 S.R. Watson 715 RSA 13/10/2011 701 G.C. Smith 750 Zim 10/10/2010 700

 

 

LAST UPDATE : NOVEMBER,26.2011

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ICC T20 BOWLWER RANKING

TEAM NAME CAREER RATING B.A.W. MENDIS 748 v Australia, 08/08/2011 748 SAEED AJMAL 766 v South Africa, 10/05/2010 766 N.L. McCullum 711 v Zimbabwe, 17/10/2011 711 J. BOTHA 724 v West Indies, 20/05/2010 724 G.P SWANN 770 v Pakistan, 07/09/2010 770 SHAHID AFRIDI 819 v Sri Lanka, 12/08/2009 819 S.W. TAIT 782 v Pakistan, 07/07/2010 782 D.J.G. SAMMY 688 v England, 25/09/2011 688 S.L MALINGA 679 v England, 25/06/2011 679 M.MORKET 649 v Australia, 13/10/2011 649

LAST UPDATE : SATURDAY,NOVEBER,26,2011

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T20 ALL- ROUNDER RANKING

TEAM NAME CAREER RATING S.R. Watson 400 v South Africa, 13/10/2011 385 Shahid Afridi 415 v New Zealand, 13/11/2009 339 D.J. Hussey 341 v England, 14/01/2011 316 M.Hafeez 246 v Zimbabwe, 18/09/2011 246 C.H. Gayle 287 v India, 09/05/2010 194 Yuvraj Singh 198 v South Africa, 09/01/2011 182 J.H. Kallis 248 v West Indies, 19/05/2010 179 T.M. Dilshan 173 v Australia, 06/08/2011 169 J.A. Morkel 220 v Pakistan, 10/05/2010 164 Abdul Razzaq 183 v New Zealand, 30/12/2010 163

LAST UPDATE : SATURDAY,NOVEBER,26,2011

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